ASKHQ: SWEET ITCH IN WINTER

Q: My horse’s sweet itch has not gone away completely this winter. Why is this? A: Sweet itch in horses is the term for the itchiness caused by the saliva of biting midges. It typically appears in spring and often settles by winter. The condition is usually seasonal because, in sufficiently low temperatures (i.e., below…

BylizzieJuly 7, 20250Comments

Horse Health

NOTHING SWEET ABOUT SWEET ITCH

Summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis, generally referred to as sweet itch, is a common and debilitating skin disease. It is caused by an allergic reaction to the bite of the Culicoides midge, which is the midge that carries African Horse Sickness (AHS). All horses are bitten by this midge over the course of the year, but just like…

BylizzieMarch 6, 20250Comments

ASKHQ: TAIL RUBBING

Q: Why might my horse be rubbing his tail? A: There are multiple causes of tail rubbing, but the trick is to find out quickly what the cause is in your particular case so you break the itch/rub cycle before it becomes too established. Some causes of tail rubbing include: Sweet itch. Sweet itch is caused…

BylizzieNovember 18, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: RUBBING ISSUES

Q: Why does my foal rub on me in the stable, even if she's not wearing a halter? Asked by Marle van der Merwe A: Sometimes rubbing has nothing to do with what a horse, or in your case a foal, is wearing on his face. Rubbing can come from skin irritation as well. Look out for…

BylizzieNovember 21, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

SWEET ITCH

Sweet itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of the Cullicoides midge (the same midge involved in the transmission of the dreaded African Horse Sickness). The midges bite the horse, and in horses with allergic sensitivity they develop itching of the mane and tail and, in some cases, the face and the…

BylizzieAugust 28, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

Grass allergies

Some horses may have allergies to biting insects. These issues need to be handled with care. Along with our glorious summer weather comes the dreaded mange for those whose horses are susceptible. Seemingly overnight, sleek shiny horses can turn into dull-coated, itching shadows of their former selves. It can be every proud owner’s nightmare and it’s…

BylizzieOctober 12, 20150Comments

ASKHQ: SWEET ITCH IN WINTER

NOTHING SWEET ABOUT SWEET ITCH

ASKHQ: TAIL RUBBING

ASKHQ: RUBBING ISSUES

SWEET ITCH

Grass allergies

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